Artist: Hellmoon
Country: Canada
Label: Forbidden Keep Records
Formats: 7″ EP
Year: 2024
The Canadian Black Metal musician known as Plääg (although his mother knows him as Cavan Rian Hoover) is quite a busy man, not only is he active in the Hells Headbangers recording band Nocturnal Departure but he spawns one release after another with his solo-band Hellmoon since its inception four years ago. Under this moniker he released two full-length albums and more than a hand full of short players with ‘Blood Laced With Emptiness’ being the last one.
Although not much has been changed over the course of the project’s lifespan, on this 2-track EP Plääg serves us again with a thoroughly raw affair. The very basics of the music is nothing that you have not heard before. The crudeness of the sound in combination with a near-Lo-Fi production would almost make you think this is just another one-man project with a black/white cover offering an interchangeable musical experience.
But, nothing could be further from the truth. For sure, it sounds crude and quite Lo-Fi, yet Plääg adds some very interesting elements to the mix that, at least puts me on my toes for the entire 10-minutes of this interesting ride. Not only does the music offer a surprising amount of dynamics in the sense of a diverse use of tempo, going from punky/rocking mid-tempo parts to blistering speed or a more dragging pace, but the crux is found in the music’s melodies. Melody it itself is no stranger to Black Metal, but the Heavy Metal tinged melodies in Hellmoon paints a stunning contrast with the harsh musical back ground. The howling vocals of Plääg do complete the picture and possibly makes ‘Blood Laced With Emptiness’ Hellmoon’s best offering so far.
For now this new EP is only available digitally, but Forbidden Keep Records was keen to sign up for a release on the great format of the 7” EP. So, those interested know where to turn to.
